Science · Stage 5

Why We Have Seasons

Put the seasons to work! Earth's tilt is why your side gets summer while the other side shivers in winter, why the equator stays warm all year, and why the midday Sun rides high on long summer days.

✦ Science📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~11 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start

apply what I know about why we have seasons to everyday life — why one half of Earth has summer while the other half has winter on the same day, why places near the equator stay warm all year, and how the Sun's height and the length of the day change with the seasons.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Printable PDF

📖

Kavi Packs a Suitcase

Kavi is packing a suitcase 🧳 to visit cousins on the other side of the world. "It's hot summer here — but my cousins live in the southern half of Earth, so right now they're in the middle of winter! Same day, opposite seasons. I already know why we have seasons: Earth's tilt decides which half leans toward the Sun. Today let's use that idea in real life — what to pack, why the midday Sun sits high in summer, and why my friend in Indonesia never needs a snow coat. Come on!"

🎓

What your child will learn

1Why your season and theirs can be oppositeIt is the same day all over Earth — yet one half can be at the beach while the other wears coats. Tap each card.

2Everyday signs that tell you the seasonYou don't need a calendar — the Sun and your shadow give the season away. Tap each clue.

3Sort the everyday clueEach clue below is something you might notice outside. Decide whether it points to summer or winter where you live!

4Your turn: seasons in everyday lifeThink like a scientist — guess first, then tap to check! Tap Next test for more.

🔍

A peek inside

Kavi lives in the northern half of Earth. In July it is hot summer. On the very same day, Kavi video-calls a cousin in Australia (the southern half) — and the cousin is wearing a thick jumper! Why is it winter for the cousin?

Earth's tilt means only one half can lean toward the Sun at a time. In July the northern half leans toward the Sun (summer for Kavi), so the southern half must lean away — low, slanted, weak light. That is winter.

Try this at home: On the same day, if it is summer in the northern half of Earth, what season is it in the southern half?

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Science · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.